— Private equity groups are expected to talk to GfK, the German market research group, about a joint bid for TNS. GfK was planning a nil-premium merger. After WPP's approach at the weekend put TNS on the market, sources said that shareholders may not accept the nil-premium merger if WPP or a rival, such as Nielsen, offers a higher premium. Private equity sources said that GfK was likely to be contacted in the next few weeks.

— Global Radio is expected to make sell-offs after its acquisition of GCap. It is understood that within days of the announcement of the agreed takeover Global's advisers made calls to radio rivals to assess which radio assets would interest them in the event of a sale. Global Radio could come under regulatory pressure to sell assets. Global knows that it could be forced by regulators to sell London stations and is taking the necessary precautions. The big question is whether the group could come under pressure to dispose of Capital 95.8, its core London station, although Global sources insist that this is unlikely.

— The information memorandum for the sale of Reed Business Information, Reed Elsevier's business-to-business magazines division, is almost ready for delivery to interested bidders. A string of private equity bidders have shown interest and, according to sources, Advent, the private equity group, is the latest to ask for the information document. Other interested parties include Cinven Carlyle, Providence, 3i and Apax.

— Will Brian May, the Queen guitarist and rock legend, save Planet Rock? The station is set for closure by GCap if a buyer is not found this month. In a statement on his website May said: “I am part of a small group of people who have great hopes that we will succeed in taking over the station and putting it on a firm footing for the benefit of its growing audience. I regard Planet Rock as rather more than just a radio station - it is a symbol of free radio.”

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